"Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief" covers the same ground as the best-selling book by Lawrence Wright that inspired it. But, oh, the effect of seeing all those details about the controversial church laid out in documentary form.

Oscar winner Alex Gibney ("Taxi to the Dark Side") profiles eight former members of the church that is associated in the public mind with A-list stars Tom Cruise and John Travolta. He also traces the origins of Scientology and its founding by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

Watching filmmaker Paul Haggis, the writer-director of "Crash," recall his widely publicized split with the church is fascinating. So is hearing the stories of others who left the fold only to wonder why they stayed for so long.

"Going Clear," which airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO, paints a gripping, often chilling picture of the intersection of Hollywood and misplaced faith.